Buddy Bench

The purpose of a Buddy Bench is to encourage friendship-building and inclusion. When a child is feeling lonely or would like to connect with others, they can go sit on the bench, serving as a cue to peers to invite them for play.

Better Together board member Tracie Estepp heard about this idea and developed a proposal for Better Together to fund the construction of benches for the Nacogdoches County Schools. Participating districts will receive copies of the book called “The Buddy Bench” to read to younger students. Better Together will also cover the cost of supplies for the construction of a bench, to be designed and built by older students.

Thus far, Woden ISD has a completed bench for both their elementary and preschool playgrounds. Central Heights ISD is in the planning stages. See below for our Buddy Bench Gallery!